Catholic faithful and Christians all over the world have been enjoined to continually show love and service to one another irrespective of religion, tribe, or political affiliation. This call was made when the classmates of Rev. Fr. John Sixtus Okonkwo visited his Parish, St. Benedict’s Catholic Parish, Lokogoma Abuja, to celebrate closing Mass of their annual Class reunion with a Galanight for this year 2021. The Class of 2004 Markudi held their 2021 annual meeting at St Agnes Parish Wuye, Abuja from 21st to 23rd of June 2021. The class reunion came to a climax with the closing Mass held at St Benedict's Parish Lokogoma.

It was an awesome event as about 50 guests from different parts of the world, stormed the parish to celebrate the Holy Mass and have their Galanight on the 22nd of June 2021. Among the guests were Catholic Priests and also those who never made it to the priesthood. 

The event was celebrated in a grand style featuring Holy Mass, goodwill messages from parishioners, artist performances, special numbers, dance, and drama.

Introducing his classmate, Fr. John Sixtus thanked his parishioners for the warm reception and for coming out in numbers to receive them. "I am glad to host my friends and celebrate Holy Mass together. Today we have gathered to share the love of Christ from our various places of assignments, as we go back God's grace will continue to guide us" he said.

Speaking at the event, the Secretary of the class Rev. Fr. Steven Awua said that the journey began in 2001 at St. Thomas Aquinas' Major Seminary, Markudi, where they converged. 

Fr. Steven explained that, from different parts of the country and Dioceses, they converged to study for the priesthood, to learn to be spiritualized, to be prepared for the ministry, years have gone by we did the needful, regular Masses, classes, and other activities and functions. 

 According to him, in the year 2004, the large house of over 140 got splited, some went to different Major Seminaries to continue with the theological formation, others stayed behind, so many years after, many of those who converged in that place then, ended up becoming priests, a few never Made it to the Priesthood, most of them are happily married today; also we lost few of our members, they have gone to a very beyond. 

“People of Lokogoma, while it is an honour for you to have us this evening, it is our privilege to be with you this evening. To be here in two senses, one is to be here in FCT Abuja 2021 to have our annual reunion but also to be here particularly in St. Benedict's Parish Lokogoma. It is great to be here, it is an honour to be here”, he said 

He stressed that in the course of their journey, they never and will never leave their brothers who never made it to the priesthood, and that’s why we always converge annually to break bread together.

The 2nd Vice-Chairman of Parish Pastoral Council, Sir Francis Nwabueze expressed his gratitude for such an honour, adding that besides the accumulative blessings of all together-priests, the Parish has added up to her multiple certificates of blessings and one of the few Parishes in the Archdiocese of Abuja to celebrate Mass with such a great number of Priests on one altar on ordinary day that is not either Ordination or Cathedraticum.

In a goodwill message, the president of Catholic Men Organization (CMO) and the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of the Parish welcomed and thanked the Priests for such an honour and privilege.

When asked how those not ordained feel about not making it to the Priesthood, Mr. Jonathan Gandu who celebrated his birthday same day, took to the microphone to respond, "We are doing well, happily married and with children and some of us have very good job. He went further to say, we are still practicing and committed Catholics and very happy with the Church.